Which term refers to resources that will eventually run out?

The term that refers to resources that will eventually run out is non-renewable resources. These resources are characterized by their limited availability because they are not replenished at a sustainable rate through natural processes. Examples include fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas, as well as minerals and metals. Once extracted and utilized, non-renewable resources take millions of years to form again, making them exhaustible within a human timeframe.

In contrast, finite resources also imply a limited quantity but do not necessarily denote the long time required for replenishment as non-renewable resources do. Renewable resources, on the other hand, are those that can be replenished naturally over time, such as solar energy, wind, and biomass. Sustainable resources refer to those that can be used without depleting them, thus maintaining their availability for future generations.